Climate Data Specialist

State of Massachusetts - Boston, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Boston, MA

101-250 employees

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Climate Data Specialist will play a crucial role within the Climate and Sustainability Unit of the Operational Services Division (OSD) in Massachusetts. This position focuses on evaluating vendor and buyer emissions, developing models to calculate and compare carbon footprints, and ranking vendors based on their sustainability practices. The specialist will be responsible for data collection and analysis, contributing to the development of a vendor scorecard, and providing data-driven insights to support sustainable procurement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze emissions data across various sectors in Massachusetts, monitoring trends in emission reductions or increases.
• Assess and evaluate the carbon footprint in procurement activities where applicable.
• Collect and analyze data on vendor sustainability practices, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, renewable energy use, energy efficiency, fleet electrification, and waste/water conservation through vendor-reported questionnaires.
• Maintain and update information Tables and references for a centralized SQL database, CAPPS (Climate Analysis and Public Procurement Scorecard), to store and process carbon footprint data and track sustainability metrics quantitatively.
• Develop models to assess the cost of carbon for statewide contracts and individual vendor activities.
• Integrate carbon cost calculations into procurement processes to measure and compare environmental impacts.
• Identify opportunities to reduce carbon emissions in procurement and provide recommendations to vendors and procurement teams.
• Oversee data collection and analysis for carbon footprint assessment tools and software tailored to procurement activities.
• Maintain and regularly update databases tracking the carbon impact of vendors and contracts to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Develop and manage a vendor sustainability performance scorecard, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data to rank vendors based on their carbon footprint and sustainability practices.
• Engage with sourcing team to gather vendor sustainability and emission data.
• Provide guidance on carbon reporting and validate Vendors' carbon footprint.
• Work with internal teams (e.g., sourcing, compliance, performance analytics) to evaluate carbon cost assessments by procurement activity.
• Generate detailed reports and provide data to performance analytics teams to display carbon impacts via dashboards that track state procurement activities.
• Support the Climate and Sustainability Unit in presenting greenhouse gas (GHG) emission data and sustainability insights to state agencies and municipalities.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses of climate procurement projects, integrating the social cost of carbon into environmental benefit assessments.
• Incorporate GHG emission analysis and sustainability practices evaluation into the Climate and Sustainability qualitative bidder 'Climate and Environmental Practices' form, as well as the quantitative Post-Award Climate Vendor questionnaire used in the state's Request for Response (RFR) processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Economics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in data analysis, sustainability, procurement, or environmental policy.
• Experience in carbon accounting, environmental data analysis, or related fields is advantageous.
• Proficiency in data management and analysis; knowledge of SQL is a plus.
• Advanced skills in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and Microsoft Excel.
• Familiarity with carbon cost models, carbon footprint calculations, and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies.
• Experience with procurement systems and sustainability assessments is desirable.
• Strong understanding of climate change, carbon emissions, and sustainability best practices.
• Familiarity with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, carbon accounting standards (e.g., GHG Protocol), and sustainable procurement policies.
• Knowledge of environmentally preferred products (EPP) and sustainable practices in public procurement.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in public sector procurement processes.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts state procurement policies and climate goals.

Benefits

• Comprehensive employee benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Support for work-life balance through a hybrid work environment.